Specialist firefighters from Plymouth were called to a muddy field in North Devon this week to save an old horse.

A specialist rescue team from Camels Head travelled almost one-and-a-half hours to rescue the 35-year-old horse from a boggy field in Shebbear.

Hatherleigh Fire Station posted further details and pictures of the dramatic rescue on their Facebook page.

Specialist crews from Plymouth were called to North Devon to save the horse (Image: Hatherleigh Fire Station)

The teams needed to act fast to help the horse (Image: Hatherleigh Fire Station)

They said: "Crews from Hatherleigh, Holsworthy, Specialist Rescue Team from Camels Head and a Specialist Rescue Team adviser were mobilised to a 35 year old horse in a boggy field unable to get up near Shebbear.

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“On arrival crews liaised with a vet on scene, the person responsible for the horse and ascertained the horse had been down a few hours and despite their efforts were unable to get it to its feet.

An average horse lives for 25 - 30 years (Image: Hatherleigh Fire Station)

“Crews formulated a plan along with the specialist rescue team (crews who have received specific animal rescue training and carry dedicated animal rescue gear).”

“Due to the field being extremely boggy it was decided the horse would be dragged on a sheet to the field beside, to minimise the risk to the horse and crews the horse received sedation by the on-scene vet.

“Crew positioned strops around the horse and a winch was used to move the horse.

They needed a tractor to lift the horse (Image: Hatherleigh Fire Station)

“Once on firmer ground we utilised a hoist system in conjunction with a tractor driver by a local farmer to lift the horse off the ground.